OUTCOMES OF POSTERIOR SAGITTAL ANORECTOPLASTY FOR HIGH ANORECTAL MALFORMATION IN BENIN CITY, NIGERIA.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment for high anorectal malformations has evolved over the years with introduction of posterior sagittal anorectoplasty in the early 80s. Posterior sagittal anorectoplasty is being perfomed in many centres which necessitates a review of its outcomes in Benin City, Nigeria. AIM: To report a 10-year outcome and experience gained with posterior saggital anorectoplasty for children diagnosed with high anorectal malformation.
METHODS: A retrospective analyses of the records of all children with high anorectal malformation and managed with posterior sagittal anorectoplasty between April 2006 and March 2016 at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital.
RESULTS: A total of 96 children were managed for anorectal malformation during the period. High anorectal malformation accounted for 33 (34.4%) cases, the intermediate 15 (15.6%) and the low types were 48 (50%). The 33 radiologically confirmed high type were19 males and 14 females with a male/female ratio of 1.3: 1. They were aged between 2 days and 4 years with a mean of 6.8 ± 3 months. A child each had additional prune belly syndrome, multiple limbs anomalies and unilateral undescended testis. Recto-bladder neck/recto-prostatic and recto-vaginal fistulae were recorded in 31 (94%) children. Five (15%) clinically stable neonates had primary posterior sagittal anorectoplasty without colostomy which was well tolerated. The majority, 28 (85%), had conventional posterior sagittal anorectoplasty that involves initial colostomy. Minor postoperative morbidities recorded in 10 (30.3%) children included superficial wound infection in 3 (9%), anal stenosis in 3 (9%) and fecal incontinence in 2 (6%) children which resolved on conservative treatment while 2 (6%) with rectal mucosal prolapse required refashioning. The functional clinical anal outcomes of posterior sagittal anorectoplasty recorded showed that the majority 18 (54.5%) of children were continent while 4 (12.1%) had voluntary bowel controls corresponding with their ages. Anal stenosis in the 3 and incontinence in the 2 children were the common anal dysfunctions recorded. The child with prune belly syndrome had breakdown of colostomy closure which resulted in the one (3%) death recorded.
CONCLUSION: Anorectal malformation was common in this setting during this study with a large proportion of the children diagnosed with the high type and were managed with good outcome using posterior sagittal anorectoplasty.